Some books don’t just tell a story—they transport you.
They wrap you in soft magic, whisper whimsy into your ear, and leave you staring out the window like you’re in a daydream sequence. That’s the magic of Studio Ghibli films: the feeling that something gentle and extraordinary is unfolding right before your eyes.
And sometimes? A book gives you that same exact vibe.
I created this list for anyone craving books that feel like a Studio Ghibli movie, whether you’re fresh off a Spirited Away rewatch or just looking for a gentle fantasy to curl up with. These are the ones that feel like magic, even in their quietest moments.
Whether it’s the sense of wonder, the quiet magic, the richly atmospheric worlds, or the aching beauty of bittersweet moments—these stories captured that signature Ghibli feeling. I put this list together for my fellow nerdy babes who crave that dreamy, fairytale energy in their reads.
Want to learn more about my reader journey? Check out this post, My Reader Journey: How Reading Helped Me Grow!
If you’re building your TBR with books that feel like a Studio Ghibli movie, these six titles are perfect for setting the vibe.
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The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani
A magical school that feels like Hogwarts meets Ghibli fantasy.
Think: Spirited Away meets Hogwarts with a dash of quirky fairytale satire. The School for Good and Evil is where fairytale heroes and villains are trained—and it’s as chaotic and enchanting as that sounds.
While it’s very YA and low on spice, the vibes? Immaculate. The story plays with themes of identity, friendship, and what makes someone truly “good” or “evil,” wrapped up in a lush, fantastical setting that gave me serious Ghibli feels.
Perfect for fans of: Howl’s Moving Castle, magical schools, and layered female friendships.
Caraval by Stephanie Garber
A dazzling world of illusions and magic games.
If Studio Ghibli made a circus-themed fantasy, it would be Caraval. This book is rich with spectacle, secrets, and surreal magic that keeps you guessing. Everything feels slightly off-kilter in the best way—like a dream you don’t quite understand but don’t want to wake up from. And the sisterhood at the heart of the story adds that emotional pull that Ghibli does so well.
This book has minimal spice, but the yearning and plot are top tier! It also reads YA, so if that’s you’re thing, I think you will enjoy this read!
Perfect for fans of: Spirited Away’s magical chaos, glamorous illusions, and sibling bonds.
Never by Jessa Hastings
Lyrical, poetic, and feels like a dream (but might break your heart).
Never is soft, nostalgic, and emotionally raw—the kind of story that floats in and wrecks you gently. It’s a coming-of-age tale wrapped in lyrical prose, with quiet magic in the everyday. If you love those Ghibli moments where nothing huge is happening but everything feels significant, this one is for you. Just be warned: heartbreak may be involved.
Honestly, going into this book, I thought it would be a cute little Peter Pan re-telling. It was anything but, this story sucks you in and doesn’t let you go until the end. Jessa Hastings knows how to use some imagery and descriptive language. It felt like I was there with her in this fantastical fever dream.
Perfect for fans of: Only Yesterday, soft aesthetics, and soul-searching reads.
A Cursed Kiss by Jenny Hickman
Irish mythology, curses, and a romance with just the right amount of angst.
This book is a fairytale in the truest sense—complete with fated love, ancient curses, and moody forests. It reads like a modern-day myth, but without losing that cozy, slow-burn magic. The angst isn’t overwhelming; it adds depth to the dreamy storytelling and rich worldbuilding.
This was a super cute read. I finished it in 6 hours, and it gave all the vibes.
Perfect for fans of: Princess Mononoke, forest lore, and gentle romantic tension.
Lore of the Wilds by Analeigh Sbrana
Cozy, nature-based magic that feels like stepping into a folktale.
If you are looking to read more diversely this book is for you! It’s written by a Black woman, and the second book comes out this week! The books boast an all-black cast and reads just like your typical high-fae fantasy novel!
Reading this felt like wandering through a misty forest with a warm cloak and a mysterious quest. It’s atmospheric in the best way—earthy, enchanting, and full of soft power. The magic system feels rooted in nature, tradition, and intuition.
This one screams Ghibli in how it blends the magical with the natural world.
Perfect for fans of: My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke, and woodland fairytales.
Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber
Fairytale adventure with curses, fate, and a chaotic love interest.
If Howl (from Howl’s Moving Castle) were a book boyfriend, he’d be Jacks. This book is whimsical but dark, dreamy but sharp-edged. It has that fairytale foundation but constantly subverts expectations. The magic system is unique, the stakes feel personal, and the romance is the perfect amount of unhinged. It’s chaotic in a charming way—just like a Ghibli plot twist.
This story is a spin-off of the original Caraval series, and I liked this spin-off better! It reads more mature, and the yearning depicted in this book is just divine. It’s honestly one of my favorite series, it was just so gentle and loving and forgiving!
Perfect for fans of: Howl’s Moving Castle, fate-bound lovers, and unpredictable fantasy adventures.
Why These Feel Like Ghibli
Ghibli magic isn’t just about the fantasy—it’s about the feel. It’s the quiet confidence in slow pacing, the softness in the character arcs, and the rich emotional undercurrent beneath the whimsy. These books deliver that in their own way:
- Lush, immersive worlds
- Emotional character journeys
- Magic that’s more mysterious than mechanical
- Whimsy with an undercurrent of melancholy
If you’re craving that specific blend of beauty and bittersweetness, these books will give you the same fluttery feeling Ghibli movies do.
Also, I love annotating in books, and if you are someone who is interested in learning how to annotate, check out my post, How to Annotate and Rate Books.
Final Thoughts
There’s something about soft fantasy that just hits different. It’s gentle without being boring, magical without being over-the-top, and deeply human in the way it handles love, grief, hope, and healing. These stories remind me that not every fantasy has to be high-stakes war and trauma—sometimes, it’s about a girl with a quiet dream and the magic she finds along the way.
I’m always searching for more books that feel like a Studio Ghibli movie, because there’s nothing like that peaceful, bittersweet magic. These stories remind us that quiet fantasy still has powerful emotional stakes—and that softness doesn’t mean weakness.
If you are struggling with your TBR list and looking for hacks on how to read more, check out my post, How to Read More Books in 2025: Top Strategies for Avid Readers
📌 Save this list for your next cozy read, or share it with a fellow Studio Ghibli lover.
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